WAIPAWA

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1676, 13 April 1904, Page 24

WAIPAWA

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

Good Friday dawned clear and cold, but a bright sun rising above the surrounding hills into a canopy of clcu-d----1 ess sky speedily absorbed the, heavy dew and slight frost and the day developed into one of brilliant sunshine and genial air. The early morning hours were devoted by the juvenile population in watching for, and then enjoying, the hot cross buns associated with Good Friday breakfast table. Divine service was held in most of the churches. The glorious climatic conditions and the near approach of winter induced many families to engage in picnic recreation. Oho cf the most enjoyable was held on the Abbotsford estate, on the fiat land lying at the foot of the Alps which crosses the western side of the estate. Shade was given by the plantations of English and New Zealand forest trees, a. meandering stream afforded t-tear water, clumps of blue bells and groups cf bracken (multi-coloured and green) ware abundantly strewn in the path of the stroller. The undulating environment tempted to a. “tramp” more agreeable than level pasture walking, white immediately above the picnic camp rose the “Rabbit Hill 1 .” This hill is used by shepherds and the travelling public a® a landmark. Its crest, crowned with Norfolk pine, rears itself from and overlooks miles of undulating ground. A little mountaineering by some, of' us and we enjoyed a panoramic view of mile® of surrounding country. From the Rabbit Hill can be seen on the western side to the foct of the, Ruahines, 26 mile© away; to the east stretches undulating country, with tussock clad hills; to the south We can see the- Taka pan. plains, and nearer the silver streak of the TVaipawa river flowing past the southern boundary hills of the town, ;v'so the Maori pah—built in a picturesque fashion on low hills—and it© pretty church, set distinctively on. the north side. “Corkscrew” gully, so named from its resemblance to that Bacchanalian article, fringed here and there with weeping willow®, stretches mites onward, the Te Aute lake lay shimmering in the sunlight, sheep were dotted ah-out the landscape, houses and public buildings in the town were cVvarlv visible' whilst, benp.fl.tb us grouo® of children climbed tlfe low spurs of the hill 1 dragging cabbage-tree head®, and 1 then to the accompaniment of laughter—tobogganed l down to the plain—perhaps in all the district there are no other views of the country so good or complete at on© time. The Easter festival was observed with due rejoicing by the churches. At St. Peter’s (Anglican) the decorations were lavish and artistic. They were made of jessamine, white flowers, and 1 autumn foliage ail'd were placed upon the affair, pulpit, lectern, font, and window seats — the latter were filled with mosses in which nestled starry marguerites, the. same design being placed at the back of the altar. The services were fully choral. Jackson’s “'Te DeunT’ was used in the morning and Binnett’s "Evening Service” at. night.. The vicar, the Rev. 11. P. Oowx, M.A., occupied the pulpit in the morning, and! preached on the subject of the -resurrection. Eixeentionefly large congregations attended the services, including the celebration of Holy Communion at noonday. The organ music was especially jubilant, and appropriate. At St. Patrick’s (R.C.) Dean Binsfield was the celebrant, and High. Mass was sung. The choir sang very effectively a portion of Farmer’s Mass and selections from Mozart. The dressing of the altar with group® of white flowers was very beautiful. ’ Two services were held, one at 11 a.m. and one at. 7. p.m., and each was crowded with worshippers; a se.rni.on was preached at each. At St. John’s Church one service was conducted by the pastor, the Rev. G. 3C, StcweV, who preached on th<> subject of the Easter festival. At the Weslwam Church the service was of a dual character- —Easter and a. farewell—the minister of t.he church, the Rev. W. S. Bowie*, occupied

hi© pulpit and preached farewell. The words of his text were: “Here have w© no continuing city.” In the concluding sentence® the preacher led his hearers to th-o contemplation of life a-s a transitory possession, and therefore one that should be made the very best and fullest use made of our opportunities, especially for serving our generation faithfully and serving God truly. Reference was made to Gig glorious festival of Easter, and its hopefulness to the Christian life. -As the congregation,, a large one, left the church Mr Bowie -said eocd-Tjve and extended a, cordial handshake to all/ Lesser lights in the social and administrative sphere than the Right Hon. R. J. Seddon may be interested to know that in this district the birthrate for the first quarter of 1904 is S 3 per cent, above the average. On :y three times during the last thirty years- has the same number been recorded and not. at all during the last decade. This information is official. Surely the. matrons of this district can smile complacently at the long at ray of depressing statistics-. recently published, and could even feel with good reason, like- the Roman matrons of old, avid not quail before the august Richard and his blue book figures.